In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, "get your a$$ to Mars." This is the best restaurant in Brooklyn! So creative, everything on the menu is delicious and unique. read more

I came across this restaurant on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, and it immediately caught my eye. My cousin and I decided it would be the perfect place to celebrate our birthdays, so we were really looking forward to the experience. Unfortunately, the visit got off to a disappointing start. When we arrived, we were seated outside even though there was clearly plenty of space inside, where all the energy and atmosphere were. The server asked if we were celebrating a special occasion, and we happily told them it was both of our birthdays. The food was good, but not quite the memorable experience I expected from a Bib Gourmand recommendation. It offered an interesting, creative twist on Italian cuisine. The standout appetizer was the Muffaletta Dim Sum, which was absolutely delicious. The Polen-Tamale, however, was the complete opposite. There were too many flavors competing with each other, and it just didn't come together. For the entrées, the Girelle was my favorite. If you love lemon, this dish is for you. It was bright, fresh, and packed with citrus flavor. The Chicken Katsu Parm with curry tomato sauce was another winner and a fun, unexpected take on a classic. The service, however, is where things really fell apart. Once the restaurant became busy, everything slowed down. The staff became noticeably less attentive, and then came the most baffling part of the evening: we were asked to leave our table and move to the counter because another reservation needed it. I honestly couldn't understand the reasoning. Why not have the incoming guests enjoy a drink at the counter while waiting for us to finish? Instead, we were the ones inconvenienced in the middle of our birthday dinner. After being moved, the service became even worse. Drinks took forever. Dessert took forever. We never even saw our original waitress again. Once dessert was finished, the check simply appeared. No one asked if we wanted coffee, another drink, or anything else. It felt like they were rushing us out after already uprooting us from our table. I'm someone who places a high value on hospitality, and this experience just didn't deliver. While I never expect complimentary birthday desserts or fanfare, I did think there might be some acknowledgment, especially after they knew we were celebrating and had asked us to move tables. Our bill came to over $300, and unfortunately, I walked away feeling that the overall experience simply wasn't worth the price. The food had some highlights, but exceptional service is what elevates a great meal, and that's where this restaurant missed the mark for me. read more

Cafe Mars has what the Gen Zs call "aura" with its rainbow colors, rigatoni chopstick holders and colorful kombucha goblets. Very cutesy. Very demure. So of course its itameshi menu would reflect the same level of whimsy and wonder. Unfortunately, it didn't slay my taste buds. We started with the aforementioned goblets of complimentary kombucha, which was a nice touch. From there, we shared the Poteto Saradu, which was basically just too-thin Pringles in a too-thick dip. The promising Ankimo Mousse was more style than substance: a vague pani puri-type shell that should've just been filled with the mousse instead of sitting hollow below jellied strawberry. I don't know what they were trying to accomplish with this dish (besides Instagrammability), but we all felt it missed the mark. The Salt Bread was nice. But I don't need to come all the way to Gowanus for good salt bread. Then we shared three pastas: the too-salty Girelle, the decently savory Waves Mentaiko, and the too-sweet Mafaldine Okonomiyaki. How were they? Let's just say there were leftover pieces on each plate--and not due to politeness. But the piece de resistance was the Ji-dori Parmesan, an utterly grotesque combination of panko-breaded chicken parmesan with mayo-drowned spaghetti noodles masking as "cole slaw". I can't imagine how high the person was who thought of this dish--but I'd greatly prefer whatever they're smoking than to go near this culinary atrocity ever again. *Shudder*. It was a gastronomic horror movie. Also, what's up with Tofu Time? The staff just yell, "Tofu Time" and then you pay $11 for tofu that your neighbor's Chinese uncle could make for you with $4 worth of ingredients. read more

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I ate dinner at Cafe Mars during a work trip to Brooklyn. I visited for a solo dinner around 7:45pm on a Thursday. All the booths were occupied or reserved so I was offered a seat at the bar. This was fine, but I was seated in the very first chair by the front door. Mind you, the bar runs almost the full length of the restaurant. So for the entire meal, as guests came or left, I had that hustle and bustle directly behind me. My server was the bartender and she was friendly and attentive. For food I started with the Garlic Knot Monkey Bread. For my main I got the Girelle (lemon pasta). The food was good but it wasn't anything mind-blowing. When the food server asked if I wanted red sauce to dip my bread, he failed to mention it comes with a $3 surcharge. The restaurant is nicely decorated with a funky & colorful vibe. The lighting and furniture pieces are fun. Although I will say, the bar chair with the arrow-straight back is probably the most uncomfortable chair I've ever sat in. Something I did really appreciate was the chef explaining each dish to me as he dropped it off at the table. That was a nice touch. As a non-resident traveler, Cafe Mars is unlikely to be a return visit for me. Perhaps if I lived locally I would give them another try. read more

Cafe Mars - Garlic Knot Monkey Bread - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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The mission of uncommon Italian dishes and some fusion items is pretty cool, but my experience here overall was pretty disappointing. I had the eggplant suprema, which is a baked eggplant dish covered with some veg and a mole sauce. There's a creamy risotto type dish on the side. The combination of mole and Italian ingredients was interesting, but the flavors were quite flat and the portions were tiny. Just this dish plus came to nearly $45 after tax and tip. This somehow ended up more expensive than most of the overpriced Italian restaurants around here. I'd skip this one. read more

Cafe Mars - Eggplant Suprema - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Okay I'm going to keep it real. I was looking forward to this because the aesthetic and dining experience looks beautiful. Made reservations and was quickly seated. Off top, love the interior decor and bright ambiance. The server welcomed us and offered two cup options and homemade kombucha which was a nice touch. However, the food was mid and over priced, here's what we ordered: - salad primavera $18 - strawberry, pistachio, fontina, rhubarb. It was okay, nothing to rave about. We originally wanted the garlic knot monkey bread but it was not available - girelle lemon $26 - lemon, lemon, capers, basil. disappointed there was no protein for such a high priced pasta dish. Of the two pasta dishes we ordered this was the best - gemelli $28 - Domenico's Sunday sauce & meat cubes. It was okay but not something I'd order again - dessert: Nagami kumquats $14 - cinnamon-almond, moscato zabaglione. This was some kind of pudding, it was weird but looked pretty? - it was my birthday so they served a cute birthday candle on top of a Twinkie look-a-like bread which was thoughtful - tldr; food is mid, slightly overpriced. Exceptional service though and fun colorful dining experience for the gram. read more

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Food was so unique I've never had anything like it anywhere. The service was great and I really enjoyed the ambiance. The welcome drinks were a nice touch. I liked the different types of Negronis they have. The gel olives were really hard to eat I found them so boozy and just too weird. The monkey bread was garlicky and had just enough butter. The mackerel was my favorite dish. The fish with the olives actually worked really well. The lemon pasta was made super well and I loved how much lemon was in it. The beef was sliced so thin and I liked how fatty it was but wasn't too much. The vegetables were fresh and also delicious. The bab yaki dessert was super unique and wasn't too sweet. read more

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Interesting dishes that are well executed, very attentive service, fun atmosphere with surprises

Usually not a fan of restaurants that describe themselves as "unusual." But Café Mars is the rare exception. The food is creative without ever becoming silly. The service is casual, personable, and highly professional all at once. Go with good friends, order broadly, and share everything so you can taste as many delicious dishes as possible. Can't wait to go back. read more

Cafe Mars - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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While there are some unique touches to the whole dining experience at Cafe Mars, I left feeling like I overpaid and that the service was weird. I loved the lemony pasta, hated the swordfish dish (do you like different types of chewy bitter? Then that's for you), and had almost no reaction to the $42 steak that was a play on a philly cheese steak. The two wines that I tried (and that were recommended to me) were meh/ok. We were early for a reservation and so were seated near the bathrooms. We were not told how to find our cutlery, but discovered it ourselves (hidden drawers, fun). Our server was pretty late to check on us (but acknowledged and apologized) and the welcome prosecco (nice in theory) had lost most of its bubbles when it was poured.... So it was a weird beginning. Overall I felt like the prices did not match the quality of the food. I wanted the food to be weirder or more gimmicky even, for the prices and feel. I was told the steak was amazing by the server, and both me and my dining partner were truly underwhelmed by all of the aspects of the dish, sides, sauce, meat. The chocolate dessert (also highly praised by the server but with no warning) was mostly bitter and barely sweet - you really get the sense bitterness is a prized part of the palate here. A chilled red wine my dining partner ordered came the same temperature as everything else. They didn't mind but, wouldn't you want to serve it right? At the end of the night, when we used a gift card and paid the rest on credit, the Server wisely let us know that the tip for the credit card did not reflect twenty percent of the full bill. No worries, good catch! We thanked her. She then offered to calculate twenty percent for us herself. Which was not as charming as I think she thought it was. All the food runners seemed professional and good vibes. I would go back to try a cocktail at the bar and sample their pasta again but nothing else. read more

There is no way this place has a Michelin Bib. This has to be some type of bad joke. They say they are an unusual Italian restaurant. They have definitely earned the unusual title. I don't know about Italian. The Drinks are great. read more

One of a Kind Pasta Drove to Gowanus, Brooklyn for a Michelin recommended unusual Italian restaurant. The highlight of the meal for me is the pasta, made by the restaurant in a unique shape they called "wave". The pasta was prepared firm, and paired with a heavily herbed calabrian chili-based sauce that was deliciously scooped within the grooves of the wavy pasta shell. The sauce was so delicious I took a spoon and cleaned out the plate after the pasta was gone. The interior design was a labor of love among friends and collaborators, where every single item from ceramics, barware, paintings, graffitis, furniture to interior design was designed specifically for the space. Cafe Mars Michelin Recommended read more

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Easily made a reservation for 4 people a few weeks ahead. Very fun spot, though it was definitely hit or miss. I tried: + Sonic Rickey cocktail + Garlic knot monkey bread + Parmesan-cured fluke crudo + Chicken liver mousse + Grilled octopus + Triangle penne + Girelle + Smoked pork ribs parm + Olive marble cake The hits: monkey bread, octopus and girelle were all excellent. I also really enjoyed the Sonic cocktail, which tasted like blue raspberry. The misses: the smoked pork ribs parm was wayyy too salty, and the olive marble cake was super dry. If you're looking for "fun" Italian, I do think the food is better at Bad Roman, though the prices are more reasonable here. Prob won't return, but glad I gave it a shot. read more

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What a TREAT this place is. Funky decor, excellent food, and top notch hospitality from every staff member. They really pay attention to the little details which gives off such a warm vibe. Definitely get the monkey bread (a must-get starter), the crudo, and the lemon pasta. read more

This place is so unique and amazing. I cannot recommend it enough. The food is brilliant. The service is incredible. If you are reading this, make a reservation now. You won't regret it. read more

absolutely love this place. you have to get the raviolo and girelle. the grilled mackerel and garlic knot monkey bread were fine... good, but not memorable. the mains are what truly steal the show. do NOT get the olive marble cake. it's dry and boring. the service is top notch and we loved the complimentary kombucha/mocktails. can't wait to go back! read more

A culinary incubator & the most fun, quirky, cool & ingenious dining experiences. Caffe Mars with its futuristic Jetson like design & modern colored booths. Silverware is in a draw attached to the table. I love this so much as I'm usually hunting waitstaff for a spoon.. You are offered complementary Prosecco or fizzy apple non alcoholic drink. Fab The garlic monkey bread is a must- really garlicky and my opinion better than the Bad Roman babka. Ate: Lots of lettuces ricotta Salata on the side Pasta special Bluefish Marble cake Strawberries & zabaglione Total: $113 before tip The basil pasta with zucchini flowers was delicious & bluefish generous & tasty. I loved that the marble cake with amaro cherries wasn't too sweet but although the zabaglione was scrumptious not sure how they prepared the fresh strawberries for the zabaglione . Candy is offered at the end and this is fun!!!! read more

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Really great concept but kind of misses the mark. Overall really nice and helpful staff especially the guy at the bar but otherwise the food was mediocre and overpriced for the tiny portions. I made a reservation for 2 and a friend asked to join so I tried to call to see if I can make it for 3 people but no one picks up the number listed on the website. I called maybe 10 times in a 3 hour span... nothing. We sat at the bar and for 3 people I strongly recommend not doing this because it was very difficult to have a conversation. We order 2 different drinks, my friend hated hers and I thought my mine was way too sweet. We ordered the music crackers and the amount of food we received was almost laughable. 4 crackers in total but not enough mousse to accommodate them all. We ordered the garlic knot monkey bread which was good but very small and fairly dry. We ordered the bucatini which was fairly portioned but can only be described as lemon flavored dry pasta. The waves pasta was good but came out cold, and a tiny portion, not worth $27. The baked potato gnocchi was my favorite dish of the night but also tiny for the $26 price point. It's a really fun vibe but was almost difficult to find things we all agreed on and still left pretty hungry. Wouldn't recommend and wouldn't come back. read more

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Easily one of the most fun and best new restaurants of the year, the new spot self-described as an "unusual Italian restaurant" is exactly that, and a must try. The decor, people and food are all fun, but more importantly, everything is delicious. Start with the Garlic Knot Monkey Bread, and definitely get the amazing pastas (if for no other reason also then to see them bring out the giant 3 foot long pepper mill). Don't miss the Smoked Ribs Parm too, a show-stopper of an entree. read more

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My foodie friend and I have been on a kick trying out fun new restaunts in NYC and have been trying to find a time to get to Cafe Mars. At last out wait was over when we were able to snag 2 bar-side seats last Sunday evening. Hours say they are open until 6:30PM, but that is the last seating, they are open a little later FYI. We tried a bunch of different cocktails (all delicious) and shared many dishes. Cocktails: Ruby Bloom, Little Dragon, Isola Bella, Tramonto Di Tramonti, The Domenico. Food: Monkey Bread, Cucumbers, Octopus, Gnocci, Pancake Primavera Dessert: Olive Oil Cake, Strawberries Our favorite dish hands down was the pancake primavera aka veggie pancake. It was so fresh, flavorful and unique. The drizzle of vibrant yellow green garlic chive sauce and the drizzle of orange carrot sauce along with all the veggie textures was incredible. It almost had a slight sweetness like a real pancake but was super savory. I couldn't believe how filling this veggie dish was. We also really like the gnocci, octopus, cucumbers and the monkey bread. Everything was delicious and easy to share. Great service, amazing company and great eats. I would recommend making a reservation if you want a table. Awesome place! read more

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Italian influenced restaurant with a jocular feel. We came on a Thursday night and were seated quickly (in a booth!). Staff was light hearted and humorous which plays into the playful atmosphere of the restaurant. Pretty solid wine list. Not the longest menu, but there is a good Italian and New York leaning variety. I appreciated that they greet you with a complimentary Prosecco to start your evening. My wife was impressed by a cocktail, so I opted for a glass of a barbera blend though I had my eye on a couple bottles. I liked the wine and my wife's cocktail; definitely give their libations a shot. We started with a lettuce based salad with a pleasant vinaigrette and topped with seeds as well as shredded cheese. Perfect portion for two to share. Great balance of flavors particularly between acidity, nuttiness, and bitterness. Simple yet on point. Next we had the monkey bread along with the paccheri pasta. Both were great. Monkey bread had a nice crispy on top, yet was fluffy and airy. The pasta was perfect. It had that chewy texture that signified that it was freshly made. It came with an onion gravy that I loved. For the main course we had the unique pork rib parmigiana. Loved the creativity. Great dish and probably something I'll look back on being a top 10 dish of the year. Ribs were smoked and then fried in a crumbly breading (maybe panko based). They were topped with marinara sauce and broiled cheese parmigiana style. Served alongside a cold spaghetti, celery, and mortadella bits salad. I can't remember the last time I got my hands covered in red sauce. For dessert, we shared the marbled olive oil cake. I liked it given that it was more savory forward. Not much sweetness to this dessert despite being served with a whipped cream. Oil definitely comes through strong. I had this with godfather dessert cocktail which I found to be a perfect complement to each other. The cocktail had amaretto and an orange wedge with brought sweetness and citrus flavors to the course. Service was informative and attentive throughout. I appreciated the laid back style, and I have a hunch the staff is encouraged to be quirky. There were two restrooms. I believe one was handicap accessible though I think there was a step to enter the restaurant. It's a fun experience, and I hope Cafe Mars continues to be accessible though I wish them much success! read more

i give this place a 2.5/5 stars. i'm surprised at how highly rated this spot is. cafe mars is all over social right now, known for its funky interior and avant-garde dishes. while the vibe is cute, i found the restaurant to be quite kitschy. when you step in, first, the a/c was not working. it was 90+ on a summer night and they just had fans blowing. the boys we were with were sweaatin by the end of the meal. the interior is bright with booths and seats by the bar. you're taken to your seat and greeted with a choice of glasses for a complimentary drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic available). i went with a group of 4 ppl and we started with the jello-olives, pizza anchovies. garlic knot monkey bread, lots of lettuce and the grilled octopus, then got the girelle, waves, triangle penne and smoked ribs. we didn't leave hungry but we definitely not full. we tried to order some more dishes but they closed the kitchen without telling us which was a bit strange/annoying. every dish really is a conversation starter but i wouldn't say the food was so good i'd come back. of the appetizers, the lots of lettuce and monkey bread were good - not great. pizza anchovies legit tasted like just anchovies out of a can. our favorite was the waves and girelle pastas, again funky, but was it really amazing? no. the pork ribs were fine as well. we ended with the olive marble cake which again was fine. drinks were good but they kept forgetting our order. all in all, cafe mars was fun and fine but i would not come back here. read more

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Fantastic! Super creative menu with unexpected combinations that make you wonder why it was the first time you had them together (octopus, celery, roni cups and ranch). Service was attentive and welcoming without being overbearing. The playlist was top notch as well! Can't wait to come back read more

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When it comes to Italian food, you will generally find me at old-school mainstays like Gene's or Isle of Capri--but the New Yorker review of Café Mars persuaded me to check out this calculatingly quirky place in the Gowanus area of Brooklyn. First of all, the restaurant is on an avenue that still has a working-class old-school Brooklyn culture--so the upscale neon brightness of Café Mars makes it seem like an haut-bourgeois spaceship has landed on this quiet strip, unleashing an invasion of hipster aliens. To temper this, co-owner Paul D'Avino asserts a narrative about his great-grandfather from Campania having once lived across the street--"a happy coincidence" discovered after he chose the restaurant's location. I give the vibe an A-, for the Memphis Milano-inspired decor (pink squiggly legged chairs at the bar, tables in the back room shaped like puzzle pieces so they can be fitted together for large parties) and the music (every single song, from "Dirty Back Road" by the B-52s to "Bull in the Heather" by Sonic Youth, seemed ransacked from my personal iTunes queue). My friend and I were seated in the back room, which lacks the bright neon WOWness of the main dining area. The noise level is high--too high. I started with the house Gibson garnished with a pickled red onion (pretty much perfect) and my friend and I shared the restaurant's de rigueur starter: Castelvetrano olives suspended in square Negroni jello shots. Yes, they were as gimmicky as they sound, but strangely satisfying, even if the flavor of the Campari overwhelmed everything. (I was encouraged by the waitress to pick one up with my hand and "pop it in my mouth like a regular jello shot." I informed her that "popping jello shots" was the sort of barroom antic I have fortunately never participated in, and opted for a spoon.) We ordered three pasta dishes to share, each with unusually shaped pasta that is made in-house. Even though the food was obviously tailored toward the TikTok/Instagram crowd, I'm willing to accept that the inventive pasta shapes were more in the spirit of Dadaist humor and also Futurism, the early 20th-century Italian art and political movement that even had its own cookbook. The "waves" pasta dish was our favorite (even if it could have arrived at the table a bit warmer). It was tossed with large shrimps and an intense Calabrian chili sauce. The green "vesuvio" pasta were shaped like nipples on a baby bottle, or a human, and had a sensual feel in the mouth. The pea-shoot pesto was subtle but also bright and fresh. The humorously triangular penne ("trenne"), another trick for your mouth, were dressed with an onion and beef cheeks gravy (they don't bother calling it what it is: Genovese La Napoletana) and grated pecorino. It was delicious (but again, not warm enough) but would have been better if there was more sauce, like a Genovese dish I enjoyed in Naples last fall. Like all trendy joints in NYC, our table came with a time limit--90 minutes--a rule that infuriates me to no end. The unasked-for check arrived with a thud, along with a glass chalice filled with hard candies, which was swiftly removed to remind us of the proverbial alarm clock that had gone off. (See my review of Tarallucci e Vino, a NYC restaurant that understands the European tradition of allowing diners to linger.) Finally, if you want to truly understand how out of place Café Mars is on this stretch of Gowanus, you must immediately proceed to Canal Bar next door--a gruff, salty dive that resembles the biker bar from "Pee-wee's Big Adventure." They won't pressure you to leave if you linger and the tattooed denizens will surely put up a good fight once the Martian invasion advances in earnest. read more

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It was so lovely and fab here! Loved the food my family is very picky and we just really had a pleasant experience including the baby!

We come every year for our anniversary and Neil's birthday! We drive over 2 hours since we come from Philadelphia. We had the best time as always! We started off with a few appetizers the Don Bocarte anchovies, fairytale eggplant, fried figs, and the monkey bread. They were all amazing. We especially loved the fried figs which was like eating the best apple pie for dinner and the anchovies which tasted amazing on the monkey bread. They were all to die for. My steak was fantastic. It was perfectly cooked at medium rare temperature. My love's bucatini Naporitan spaghetti had the best flavors that reminded him of his childhood. We were unfortunately unable to eat dessert because we will so full but usually love their desserts as well! Thank you for the best time in Brooklyn! read more

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Outstanding. Your taste buds will thank you for it. Went last night to celebrate my souses birthday. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. The waiter with the water melon shirt was in point and walked us thru every item in the menu while suggesting portions for us to share. We had a total of five dishes and each was amazing. We will be back. The ambiance was very chill with each table not needing to yell over each other to speak. Outright the best meal I've had in a while. read more

This place was one of the best dining experiences I have had in NYC. First things first: The Food is Delicious! I was worried initially that this place catered to the tik tok influencers because of the funky style, 'instagrammable' plating and complimentary bubbly drink served at the beginning of the meal. However, every dish we tried was super flavorful, and really amazing quality. Our serve took also took the time to share very clearly the size of some of the plates (some are fairly tiny) and while it could be mistaken as an upsell, steered us in the right direction so that we ordered enough for 6 people to try a little bit of everything. The cocktails are delicious (definitely try the domenico) The garlic knot monkey bread was pillowy soft and buttery, the music crackers and chicken liver pate were delicious. All three of the pastas we tried were perfectly Al dente and super flavorful and fresh. Ultimately the service is what made this the best meal I've had in NYC in a long time. The staff are so friendly and inviting and knowledgeable about the food. The experience truly felt more like a dinner party than going out to a restaurant and I cannot wait to return. read more

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The attention to detail that the servers and bartenders have was phenomenal. Their dedication and knowledge make this place a wonderful. The food was great and the combination of of ingredients make all the plates come together perfectly. read more

Walked past one day and based on the look of the place said "I want to eat there for my birthday" and so I did. Complementary Prosecco in frolicsome glassware (not just for birthday boys and girls), superb cocktails, sci-fi appetizers, inventive pastas, and my new favorite desert of all time because it might be the most savory desert I've ever had and boy do I have a savory-tooth: the olive oil marble cake. Our server and host guided a relaxed, fun, unforgettable experience. Will soon find another excuse to celebrate something anything on Mars. read more

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Solid 4.5 stars. The vibe is obviously immaculate. Fun and cheeky design. Love the bright colors. Our sever was lovely. I don't usually love when they send kitchen staff to describe the dishes because they are usually more uncomfortable and sometimes it is hard to understand them. I think it's better just to send a server to run the food if it requires a preamble. Half a point off for the size of the pasta dishes which I found a little stingy. The cocktails were all great. Especially loved the Sonic Rickey cause it tasted like a melted blue raspberry icee in the best way. Had the strawberry cocktail as well which was refreshing. Negroni olives were a hell no from pretty much all of us. But glad we tried it lol. The cucumber appetizer was great and we liked the crudo (I think it needed a little acid). Pizza anchovies and monkey bread were delicious. We tried two pastas the girelle lemon one which was great. Loved the breadcrumbs on top. We also tried the triangle penne. Loved the funky shape and the sauce was excellent. Wish they were a little more shareable. I was very excited for and very disappointed by the skate piccata. While it was well cooked there was like a tiny pool of sauce. The whole joy of piccata is dipping the fish/chicken back in the delicious sauce but there was not nearly enough sauce for how much skate there was. Also only a few capers. That dish needs some refining. I'll definitely be back though. read more

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The food here is excellent: we had the Girelle pasta and the skate. Each had its own lemony flavors and they were really flavorful. We also had the octopus, which had a deep, smoky umami flavor. Utensils were in a drawer on the side of the table, which my companion said was reminiscent of eateries in HK. read more

Cafe Mars - Girelle pasta and the octopus - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I've had one of the best meals of my life at Cafe Mars. The ambience and decor is so unique and fun as well. As soon as you arrive, the employees are incredibly attentive, offering you free wine and explaining the menu in detail. The cocktails are absolutely out of this world, and are all so unique and flavorful. The portions are on the slightly smaller side, so you're encouraged to order several dishes, which is great because you get to try a whole bunch of things. They rotate their menu too, so you'll never have the same meal twice. The garlic monkey bread is an absolute must-order. If you're a fan of lemon pasta, theirs is off the charts. While the food is certainly not cheap, you get a Michelin star-level experience for prices on par with NYC. I can't wait to go back! read more

Love!! The food is amazing and unique. Can't wait to go back. Super helpful when ordering food with dietary restrictions. Not to mention the place is so cute and great to take photos in. read more

Cafe Mars - Drink, inside - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Come to this place. Full stop. The food is great but honestly it seems like that is table stakes nowadays. What sets Cafe Mars apart in my opinion is the incredibly high standard the team has set in terms of customer experience and delight. The consistent attention to detail, from the food itself to the way staff engaged us end to end, is insanely impressive. Hats off to them if they can replicate and scale that out but I would absolutely follow this culinary team around. FWIW - am not from NY and happened to stop in. read more

Cafe Mars - Jell-olives - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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This place is bananas. Go immediately. From the first greeting at the threshold to the last piece of hard candy on the way out, a fantastic experience. Think creative, high level, interesting food, but playful and fun and most importantly, genuinely delicious, unlike the way sometimes creative cuisine can fall short on the deliciousness front. Excellent hospitality - every single person super friendly and engaging, generous details from the gratis greeting drink in a choose your own glass, to the candy bowl accompaniment to the check, to the flossers in the bathroom (which, sidebar, is the only place in a restaurant where teeth cleaning should occur!). Jake at the bar is a gem, lovely, patient, cool under pressure, and so attuned to creating a great experience. Fun design and decor, great lighting, music, and bathroom comedy. Thank you to the whole crew at Cafe Mars! We can't wait to dine here again. read more

Loved the ambiance and the octopus and pastas but they were out of the monkey bread :( !!!! Great and nice service and super cool vibe. read more

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Went to Cafe Mars last night for dinner. You should go! Lovely room, great and friendly service and the food! Amazing! They are set up for food sharing and many dishes were just right for our party of four. Yes. You should go! Fab Mediterranean anchovies, Monkey Bread, Pork Ribs , Pasta.....we tried more than half the menu and everything was so good. You...that means YOU should go. Desserts, non alcohol Negroni!!!!! Did I mention that you should go? Yes..YOU should go.Garlic Knot Monkey'Grilled OctopusOlive Oil Marble CakeSmoked RibsTriangle Penne read more

Cafe Mars - The biggest pepper grinder I have ever seen. - Italian Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Incredibly joyful food and experience. Every time we come it keeps getting better! Excellent and friendly service and amazing food.

Fun vibes upon entering the restaurant & cute little surprise awaits you prior to your meal. Garlic knot monkey bread, great starter. We loved the grilled octopus. The wave pasta was fantastic. Finish off with the olive oil marble cake. read more

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